Vaish community stresses on upliftment of the weaker section

Members of the Vaish community have declared the upcoming year 2007 as the "Sashakta Vaish Year", reports Jyoti Shelar.

Members of the Vaish community have declared the upcoming year 2007 as the "Sashakta Vaish Year" with a resolution to uplift every member in the community and live a dignified life.

"Sashatktikaran means strengthening. That's our agenda of the New Year and we want each and every member of the community to be well to do in life," said Rakesh Mehta, President of Mumbai Pradesh Vaish Federation at the executive meeting of All Indian Vaish Federation on Saturday at the Birla Matrushri, New Marine Lines.

"Every capable Vaish will adopt atleast one economically weak member in the community and offer help in terms of finances, employment, medical aid and education," said Mehta adding that various discussions will be organised on the means and ways to empower economically weaker Vaishs.

According to Mehta, the Vaish community is the largest contributor to the National GDP and National Exchequer. Thus the economically strong and capable Vaish peoplecan definitely take an initiative to guide, support, help and assist the weaker section of the community.

Aimed at spreading awareness about the Vaish community and its contribution, the two day executive meeting was inaugurated by Arun Gujarati, Ex-speaker, Assembly and Regional head of Nationalist Congress Party and Venugopal Dhoot, President, Videocon group. More than 300 prominent community members from across the 23 states were present at the conference to discuss issues pertaining to the betterment of the community.

"The community is divided in over 350 sub communities. We are aiming to unite all these sub communities under one platform and make a consolidated group which can make its presence felt in the democratic set up of our country," said BG Daga, Executive President of the federation. "Communities and factions having even smaller numbers are in a position to assert themselves so there is no reason why the Vaish community with such a large presence cannot assert itself," said Daga adding that one sixth of the country's population consists of Vaishs.

"Big names like Birla and Ambani come from the Vaish community but despite this there are very few in the city who are familiar with the community's outstanding contribution in the country. We feel that the community is yet to get its due recognition in the city. By such conferences and meetings we are doing our bit to spread awareness about the community," said Mehta.